Birbhum45 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
A massive recovery of ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold from the residence of Minar Mondal, a relative and alleged manager of stone trader Tulu Mondal, has intensified scrutiny over suspected financial irregularities linked to the stone business in Birbhum.
Police raid targets trader’s close associate
The seizure, which continued till late Wednesday, has raised questions over whether the recovered assets are connected to illegal stone mining and trading operations. While the money and gold were recovered from Minar Mondal’s house, locals and political leaders have alleged that the real owner of the assets is Tulu Mondal. These allegations remain unverified.
Minar Mondal’s finances draw fresh scrutiny
Residents said Minar was largely known as an employee managing Tulu Mondal’s business rather than as a businessman himself. According to local accounts, he had earlier worked as a driver with the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) before taking voluntary retirement around four years ago and joining Tulu Mondal’s operations full-time.
Stone trade links under investigation now
Sources said Minar oversaw one of Tulu Mondal’s Duplicate Challan Receipt (DCR) gates at Raipur, reportedly linked to the transportation of stone materials. Despite living in a relatively modest two-storey house near Deucha bus stand in Mohammad Bazar, locals claimed his lifestyle had changed significantly over the past few years.
Locals recount manager’s sudden financial rise
“His standard of living improved dramatically after money started coming in. But we never imagined such a huge recovery from his house,”
said resident Shiblal Soren, alleging that people involved in illegal stone trade had amassed wealth while tribal communities in the region remained deprived.
Probe focuses on alleged money trail
Tulu Mondal has long been a controversial figure in Birbhum’s stone and sand trade. In the past, allegations have been made against him over illegal mining, fake transport challans, and other criminal activities. He was arrested in 2022 in connection with a murder case and later secured bail. No court has convicted him in those matters.
The latest recovery has renewed attention on the financial network surrounding the stone trade, with investigators expected to examine the source of the seized cash and gold and whether it is linked to any illegal business operations.
